The “Bungaku Bideo” series is an innovative effort to bring literature and film together in a new way, and to introduce the work of phenomenal artists in both forms to new audiences worldwide.
The Yanai Initiative is thrilled to announce that Extremely Short has been selected for the 56th Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes.
The first film in the series is Extremely Short by the world-renowned animator Kōji Yamamura and based on a short story by prize-winning author Hideo Furukawa.
Extremely Short Trailer
Extremely Short Teaser
56th Directors’ Fortnight, Cannes, 2024.05.15-25
The first film in the series: Extremely Short
DIRECTOR
KOJI YAMAMURA
Born in 1964, Koji Yamamura is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and is a professor at the Tokyo University of the Arts. Nominated for an Oscar, his short “Mt. Head” won grand prizes and was selected for 100 Films for a Century of Animation. His first feature film Dozens of Norths won the Grand Prize at the Ottawa and the Annecy International Animation Film Festivals. In total, his films have won over 140 awards.
http://www.yamamura-animation.jp/Jp_Top.html
TEXT & VOICE
HIDEO FURUKAWA
Born in Fukushima Prefecture in 1966, Hideo Furukawa is the prolific author of dozens works of fiction, including everything from short shorts to very long novels, as well as plays, poetry, and non-fiction. Known for his dynamic readings, he often partners with musicians and other artists in collaborative performances.
MUSIC
SUNAO ISAJI
Sunao Isaji’s activities range from contemporary music composition and improvisation to live performances of Showa songs, children’s songs, and Brazilian music. He is also a lover of soccer, movies, and folklore. He has received the Akutagawa Composition Award, the Idemitsu Music Award, and the Keizo Saji Award for “Nanban Gekijo – Sunao Isaji Solo Exhibition.
FILM CREDITS
“Totemo mijikai” (2010) by HIDEO FURUKAWA
Planning & English translation MICHAEL EMMERICH
Producer KOJI YAMAMURA
Assistant Producer SANAE YAMAMURA
Co-Production Yamamura Animation
Project Managers, The Yanai Initiative YUMI JOKO, SANAE YAMAZAKI
Production THE YANAI INITIATIVE at UCLA + Waseda University
Voice Recording ERIC SIERCKS
Waseda International House of Literature
Music performance SUNAO ISAJI, KEIKO NIIMI
Music Mixer HIDEKI ISOBE
Music Recording Studio
Mixer MASASHI SHIMADA, Aoi Studio
Color Grading, DCP lab AssistAssist
